Planning Board Agendas and Minutes

MINUTES OF THE COHOES PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 13, 2018 AT 6:30 PM IN THE COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Mark DeFruscio Vice Chairperson Jack Carroll Mr. Bob Bucher ABSENT: Ms. Stephanie Couture Mr. Joseph Nadeau ALSO PRESENT: Robyn Reynolds, Deputy Director of Economic Development and Planning CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 16 MEETING Chairperson DeFruscio opened the meeting at 6:33 pm and asked if any of the Planning Board members had any comments on the proposed minutes. Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that in one place in the minutes, Member Bucher had been noted as Chairperson and asked that this be amended. Member Bucher made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture CONSIDERATION OF A PRIVATE SWIMMING POOL AT 176 MAIN STREET Chairperson DeFruscio asked the applicant to explain the project. The applicant noted that the pool is a portable blow-up pool and had already been installed on the property and that the pool was at least 10’ from the fence that abutted the neighboring property. Chairperson DeFruscio asked for clarification and the applicant approached the table to clarify on the drawing where the pool was located. The applicant noted that the pool was only 6’ from one side of the property. Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that in order to maintain the 6’ distance, the applicant would need an area variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The applicant noted that these discrepancies in distance were due to the angled nature of the property. Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about the minimum distance of the pool from the neighboring property and the applicant clarified that the property abutted the railroad. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that the applicant needed to be cautious about where the drainage would occur, given the proximity to the railroad. The applicant commented that he would be getting a survey done by the Laberge group as they are unsure of the exact property lines and there was discussion of railroad right-of-ways as they pertain to the property. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that the Planning Board could give conditional approval of the special use permit, based on the commitment to obtain a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals. R. Reynolds noted that the applicant would already need a use variance, based on the location in the MU-1 district. Vice Chairperson Carroll made a motion to give conditional approval contingent upon a variance granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. Chairperson DeFruscio asked the applicant to resubmit a drawing and amended application to show the 6’ distance more clearly. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture CONSIDERATION OF SEQR FOR A PROPSAL AT 385 SARATOGA STREET AND 299- 401 SARATOGA STREET Chairperson DeFruscio reviewed the County recommendations and the information contained on Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the environmental assessment forms. R. Reynolds clarified that the County recommendations only pertain to the approval of the site plan at 385 Saratoga Street. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if there were any significant issues raised during the review, which R. Reynolds commented that there were none identified. Chairperson DeFruscio suggested that they make a motion for a negative declaration for the project. Member Bucher moved to make a negative declaration on the proposed projects at 385 Saratoga Street and approximately 299-401 Saratoga Street for SEQR purposes, which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture CONSIDERATION OF A SUBDIVISION AT APPROXIMATELY 299-401 SARATOGA STREET Vice Chairperson Carroll asked about the meeting held with the Office of Community and Economic Development and the issues with access on Lot 1 and noted that it seemed like there could be shared access with Lot 2, or curb cuts on I-787 when the Boulevard project has been completed. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that there was additional information provided at that meeting that addressed the previous concerns. Vice Chairperson Carroll made a motion to approve the minor subdivision at approximately 299- 401 Saratoga Street, which was seconded by Member Bucher and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN AT 385 SARATOGA STREET Chairperson DeFruscio noted that this is on Lot 2 of the approved subdivision and that it would need a public hearing. Chairperson DeFruscio asked M. Cherubino, representing the Community Builders, to approach and explain updates on the project. Chairperson DeFruscio opened the public hearing at 6:50 pm. Chairperson DeFruscio stated that he grew up near the site and that he is interested in the site being redeveloped into something that would provide community benefit. M. Cherubino explained that as part of the project, the Community Builders were proposing a public park to highlight Champlain Canal Lock 2, which Chairperson DeFruscio noted seemed like an improvement on the site and that that approach had been successful with other developers. There being no other comments, Chairperson DeFruscio closed the public hearing at 6:53 pm. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if the Community Builders were seeking final site plan approval, to which M. Cherubino noted that as they have not yet submitted a landscaping or lighting plan, that she understood that that would need to be provided before final approval could be given. M. Cherubino noted that preliminary approval would be what they were seeking. Chairperson DeFruscio asked an audience member if they had any comments to submit on the project, even though the public hearing had been closed. The audience member noted that they were there representing a neighboring property owner with an interest in Lot 2 of the subdivision. M. Cherubino went on to explain some of the elements in the submitted set of drawings as the Community Builders were seeking preliminary approval. M. Cherubino pointed out that they were amending the parking design to accommodate one space per unit as is described in the Zoning Code and that they would likely bank the extra parking. M. Cherubino showed a pond proposed on the property and some other design features that had changed since last month’s review and noted that the City Engineer has been incredibly helpful. M. Cherubino noted that they were intending to connect their site to the proposed walking path on the re-construction of 787 as their tenants enjoyed walkability. Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that connectivity has not helped alleviate the desire for additional parking at Hudson Square and there was a conversation on access to public transit. R. Reynolds asked if the Board would like to see any additional information for a final approval. M. Cherubino stated that she’s aware of the need to submit additional landscaping, and lighting plans and Chairperson DeFruscio pointed out that they would like to see more details on snow storage, landscaping, lighting, detailed image of the building and a more detailed plan. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that they are very interested in this project and want to be cooperative on what the Community Builders would like to do at the site. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that they could give preliminary approval. M. Cherubino asked if there were any ideas on landscaping at the site and Member Bucher commented that it might be a good idea to reflect landscaping on 787. Chairperson DeFruscio noted some of the design elements on the reconstruction of 787 and Vice Chairperson Carroll noted that they may want to reach out to DOT. M. Cherubino pointed out their proposed walkway, seating, and recreation area contained in the project design. Chairperson DeFruscio noted that a new member of the audience had joined and asked if they had any question. L. Schillinger representing Kellmans noted that they were appearing to learn more about the Community Builders project as they are looking at options for screening and trying to learn more about the new building’s viewshed in terms of whether or not it would be overlooking 787 and their buildings. Chairperson DeFruscio remarked that while the public hearing had technically closed, they were welcome to look at the plans and that Kellmans was a good member of the neighborhood. M. Cherubino and L. Schillinger discussed the details of the project and confirmed that the height of the building was somewhere between 45 and 55 feet tall. L. Schillinger noted that he wanted to look into screening and shading as well as the plans for 787, Vice Chairperson Carroll pointed out that if there are tree plantings on 787, additional screening may not be necessary. M. Cherubino noted that the lighting that they are working on would be downcast, and at a residential scale. L. Schillinger noted that they were looking into appropriate berms, soundproofing and shading and potential concrete shading structures. Chairperson DeFruscio asked if L. Schillinger was satisfied with the information received at the meeting, to which L. Schillinger noted that he was happy to have had the conversation. Chairperson DeFruscio suggested that they make a motion to grant preliminary approval of the site plan at 385 Saratoga Street upon the condition of the submittal of detailed drawings of landscaping and lighting. Member Bucher moved to grant preliminary approval of the site plan, which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously. YES NO Bob Bucher X Joseph Nadeau Mark DeFruscio X Jack Carroll X Stephanie Couture DISCUSSION There being no further business, Chairperson DeFruscio made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm, which was seconded by Vice Chairperson Carroll and the motion passed unanimously.